Removing excess moisture can prevent mold and mildew.
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If certain rooms in your home—like basements and bathrooms—are prone to high humidity, and you live in a climate where spring and summer’s warm air traps even more moisture, then you may want to consider getting a portable dehumidifier. The ideal humidity range indoors is between 30 and 50 percent, and once the moisture level gets any higher, your home may be susceptible to mold, mildew, and even water damage.
Dehumidifiers work by drawing in moist air (with a fan) through coils that cool the air and trap the excess moisture through condensation in a water reservoir, then spread dry air back into the room. Some dehumidifiers require you to regularly dump the tank, while others have the option of a passive, continuous drain system or a pump to expel water through a nearby sink or window. We took convenience features like these into consideration when selecting a variety of dehumidifiers that should work for your needs.
Rated to remove 22 pints of water per day (30 pints according to 2012 DOE standards), this Homelabs dehumidifier is a versatile option for medium to larger rooms, designed for spaces up to 1,500 square feet. It features a continuous drain option (though the hose isn't included, so count on the extra expense) and a built-in pump compressor, along with auto-shutoff when the tank is full and turbo mode for maximum moisture removal. The dehumidifier is also energy star rated.
Customer Score: 92% give it 4 stars or more.
The Honeywell TP50WKN can remove around 30 pints of moisture from 3,000-square-foot rooms every 24 hours. The Honeywell is an excellent option if you want to be able to set your optimal humidity level and have the machine automatically adjust its setting to maintain that. It has smart digital controls, as well as alerts for a full tank and when the washable filter needs cleaning. Plus, the wheels and heavy-duty top handle allow you to move it fairly easily.
Consumer Score: 82% give it 4 stars or more
This Honeywell model is equipped with smart features that make it stand out for those who want to connect their appliances to their Wi-Fi and control them via app or Amazon Alexa. This model is designed for spaces up to 1,000 square feet and removes up to 30 pints of moisture from the air.
While it doesn’t have a pump, it does offer continuous drainage, plus will alert you when the tank is full or the filter needs cleaning (the filter is washable, which is a bonus). If you aren’t home, use the app to change things like fan speed and humidity settings.
Consumer Score: 88% give it 4 stars or more
Now on sale for well under $200, this Frigidaire is an excellent pick if you’re on a budget. This model is rated to remove 22 pints of moisture daily (or 30 according to the older DOE standard), so it’s ideal for small indoor spaces.
Despite being compact and fairly affordable, this Frigidaire dehumidifier comes with all of the feature you’ll want like automatic shut off when the tank gets full, an adjustable humidistat, continuous drain option, and a front-load bucket with a handle for easier emptying.
Consumer Score: 91% give it 4 stars or more
If you aren’t looking for a unit of a dehumidifier for your basement or large living space, you may want to consider a much more compact and cheaper model like the Pro Breeze Electric Mini. This will only remove nine ounces of moisture from the air per day, but it’s quiet, compact, and energy efficient if you only need a small unit for tiny spaces under 150 square feet, say bathrooms and closets.
Unlike most large dehumidifiers, the Electric Mini requires you to manually dump the tank, but it also has a light indicator and auto shut off for when it hits capacity. Because it only weights about two pounds, it’s also much easier to move around to different parts of your home.
Consumer Score: 79% give it 4 stars or more
A 50-pint dehumidifier with a built-in pump, GE’s APER50LZ comes with smart features to set your ideal humidity level and auto adjust the fan setting accordingly. In addition to auto mode and auto defrost settings, it’ll alert you when the filter needs to be cleaned or when the tank needs to be emptied.
Its main (albeit minor) downsides are that its side handles are shallow and it doesn’t have anything to wrap the cord around, so it may be more of an inconvenience to move and store than others.
Consumer Score: 91% give it 4 stars or more
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